Take Responsibility.

[kingmakereffect]

The elevator doors slide open at the end of the allotted time for investigating, and the ride down is quick-paced and smooth; there's a lot more space in here than there was at the start of the game, that much is obvious. But then, perhaps that's to be expected with almost a third of your original number dead. The doors slide open when the courtroom is reached, the podium circle waiting as always in the middle of what still seems to be an endless dark void; Yato, Taichi and Megumi have joined the ranks of the dead, their podiums draped in black, greyscale portraits set upon them. Watching the proceedings. And as always, they aren't the only ones watching. The Kingmaker waits until everyone is settled at their podiums to begin speaking; it's still impossible to tell where his voice is coming from – other than, perhaps, 'everywhere.' "Protective has been taken from you. Looks like the guilty thought their secret was worth more than her life... Or maybe they just wanted out and decided to be the one to succeed at Rule Seven where everyone else has failed. Whether they succeed or not is up to you." Nineteen Survivors remain. How many are still alive at the end of the day is your decision.

Comments

[bloodisthicker]

Maybe you want to prove that you don't have any bruises for us, then? Or, perhaps, give us another good reason why we shouldn't suspect you.

[psychoh]

[GOD THERE'S so much yelling. so many loud voices. he can barely hear himself...

Tarrlock isn't yelling, even though he's easily more terrifying than any of the others. so, that's who he directs himself to.]

Ah... No. There's, um. Bruises. Lots of 'em. I [he giggles here, high and breathless] really, really did a number on myself...

... I helped. I covered it up for her. B-Burned her clothes. Tr-Tried to frame... I always cover it up for her.

[goodforsomething]

[This is getting a little weird.]

...cover it up for who? Y'know you'd die too, right?

[psychoh]

I'd, I'd die for her. I'd die a thousand times... [seems a little unsteady, a sort of dreamy look on his face...]

[notjustawriter]

Are..... are you talkin' about one of the ladies here?

[Because signs are pointing to no.]

[penduli]

[ wow, romantic.



kind of creepy.

but romantic. ]

[goodforsomething]

Uh...

[There's only one empty podium between Stan and Norman. He casts a sidelong glance at Gabriel next to him.]

Who?

[notjustawriter]

[UNCOMFORTABLE STARING]

[notjustawriter]

....Helpin' a murderer means you'd die, too.

[Something about this is creeping him out.]

[psychoh]

... I know. Knew the whole time. Was, um... just trying. Just trying to keep you all off the scent. Off her... [sways a bit...]

[notjustawriter]

You're not.... you're not making any sense.

[bloodisthicker]

...

[...the predatory look in Tarrlok's eyes does not fade, but... man, it's like he's just suddenly noticed there are some funky-ass parasites in that whale and is no longer sure if he wants to eat it after all.]

Who... is "her," exactly?

[...it's obviously not Sigrun or Aqua.]

[psychoh]

... Mother.

[he smiles.






and then falls backwards in a dead faint.]

[goodforsomething]

Holy Moses!

[Stan hesitates, then starts edging over towards Norman. Is he out...?]

[notjustawriter]

[THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED]

[goodforsomething]

Uh, just! You stay over there!

[He will check this out for the folks on the right.]

[garudynamic]

... should we like, toss water on him or something?

[isafraid]

G-gah!

[Seeing as he's kind of almost on the other side of the trial room, Speedwagon will just... watch that happen.]

...Tell me I'm not mishearing that.

[neverafters]

M-Mother...?

[ Was that really right?? What's going on... ]

[isafraid]

All the things he said, it was to protect his mother?

[Speedy's hand tightens against his podium.]

What's going on here...

[bloodisthicker]

...

[...he should probably head over, even though there's a vague sense of dread settling over him...]

...he didn't crack his head open, did he...